Dispensing mechanism for flexible sheets

ABSTRACT

A dispenser includes a plurality of walls that define a cavity configured to receive a plurality of flexible sheets, where at least one of the plurality of walls defines a dispensing opening. A dispensing mechanism is disposed at the dispensing opening, the dispensing mechanism having a first hinged flap and a juxtaposed second hinged flap, the first hinged flap having a first hinge with first and second opposing faces, and the second hinged flap having a second hinge with first and second opposing faces. At least one of the first hinge and the second hinge having at least one protrusion that extends from a respective first opposing face to make contact with a respective second opposing face when a flexible sheet is dispensed from the cavity, the at least one protrusion limiting pivotal movement of the respective hinge in one direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/502,599 filed Jul. 14, 2009, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to flexible sheet dispensersand, more particularly, to a dispensing mechanism for flexible sheets.

Flexible sheet containers are well known and are used to store anddispense a wide range of products such as baby wipes, cleaning cloths,and the like. The flexible sheet containers come in a variety of shapesand sizes and provide a convenient means to have flexible sheets, suchas wipes, readily available. Certain flexible sheet containers include alarge opening that enables a user to simply peel off a flexible sheet asneeded. In other cases, the flexible sheet container includes an openinghaving a mechanism for retaining the flexible sheets. That is, as sheetsare drawn through the opening, the mechanism provides some resistance.The mechanism grips a subsequent sheet as a sheet is being withdrawn. Inthis manner, the subsequent sheet is readily available.

The mechanism for retaining the flexible sheets must serve a dualpurpose, first, providing access to the flexible sheet container toenable retrieval of an initial sheet or perhaps a stuck sheet, whilealso providing resistance on the sheets being withdrawn from theflexible sheet container. At present, these mechanisms take on a varietyof forms. One form includes a slit created in a top portion of theflexible sheet container. The slit is usually formed in somewhatflexible material and is sized to enable one or more fingers to accessthe flexible sheet container. Side portions of the slit come together togrip the flexible sheets. In some cases each side portion includes acut-out section that forms an opening that is configured to receive theflexible sheet. In other forms, the mechanism includes first and secondwinged portions that are pivotally mounted on the flexible sheetcontainer through a living hinge. The winged portions are configured todeflect inward to provide access to the containers. When a flexiblesheet is withdrawn, the wing member pivots together to provideresistance. In this manner, the wing member grips subsequent sheets.Often times, each wing member includes a cut-out portion that defines anopening for receiving the flexible sheets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the invention, a dispenser includes aplurality of walls that define a cavity configured to receive aplurality of flexible sheets, where at least one of the plurality ofwalls defines a dispensing opening. A dispensing mechanism is disposedat the dispensing opening, the dispensing mechanism having a firsthinged flap and a juxtaposed second hinged flap, the first hinged flaphaving a first hinge with first and second opposing faces, and thesecond hinged flap having a second hinge with first and second opposingfaces. At least one of the first hinge and the second hinge having atleast one protrusion that extends from a respective first opposing faceto make contact with a respective second opposing face when a flexiblesheet is dispensed from the cavity, the at least one protrusion limitingpivotal movement of the respective hinge in one direction.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a dispenser includes aplurality of walls that define a cavity configured to receive aplurality of flexible sheets, where at least one of the plurality ofwalls defines a dispensing opening. A dispensing mechanism is disposedat the dispensing opening, the dispensing mechanism having a firsthinged flap and a juxtaposed second hinged flap, the first hinged flaphaving a first hinge with first and second opposing faces, the secondhinged flap having a second hinge with first and second opposing faces.At least one of the first hinge and the second hinge having at least oneprotrusion that extends from a respective first opposing face toward arespective second opposing face when a flexible sheet is dispensed fromthe cavity, the at least one protrusion limiting pivotal movement of therespective hinge in one direction. The respective second opposing facehaving at least one mating recess, the at least one protrusion and theat least one mating recess each being cooperatively disposed withrespect to each other so as to disengageably lock with each other when aflexible sheet is dispensed from the cavity.

These and other advantages and features will become more apparent fromthe following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages ofthe invention are apparent from the following detailed description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a lower right perspective view of a flexible sheet containerincluding a flexible sheet dispensing mechanism in accordance with anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a lower right perspective view of the flexible sheet dispenserof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a lower right perspective view of the flexible sheet containerof FIG. 1 illustrating the flexible sheet dispensing mechanism in anopen configuration;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the flexible sheet containerof FIG. 1 taken through line 4-4 illustrating the flexible sheetdispensing mechanism in a closed configuration;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the flexible sheet containerin FIG. 4, illustrating a flexible sheet being pulled from a centerportion of a roll of flexible sheets;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the flexible sheet containerin FIG. 5, illustrating the flexible sheet being withdrawn through theflexible sheet dispensing mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the flexible sheet containerin FIG. 6, illustrating the flexible sheet being disconnected from theroll of flexible sheets;

FIG. 8 is a detail plan view of the flexible sheet dispensing mechanismof FIG. 2 acting upon a flexible sheet from the roll of flexible sheets;

FIG. 9 is a detail plan view of an alternative lid having a flexiblesheet dispensing mechanism alternative to that depicted by FIG. 8, withan integrally connected cover in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 10 is a cross section view of the integrally arranged lid and coverof FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is partial detail plan view of an alternative lid having aflexible sheet dispensing mechanism according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 12 is a section view of a portion of the flexible sheet dispensingmechanism of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is partial detail plan view of another alternative lid having aflexible sheet dispensing mechanism according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 14 is a section view of a first portion of the flexible sheetdispensing mechanism of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a section view of a second portion of the flexible sheetdispensing mechanism of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is partial detail plan view of yet another alternative lidhaving a flexible sheet dispensing mechanism according to an embodimentof the invention; and

FIG. 17 is a section view of a portion of the flexible sheet dispensingmechanism of FIG. 16.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, togetherwith advantages and features, by way of example with reference to thedrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With initial reference to FIGS. 1-3 a flexible sheet containerconstructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is indicatedgenerally at 2, and is alternatively herein referred to as a dispenser.Flexible sheet container 2 includes a side wall 4, a bottom wall 5, anda top wall or lid 6 that collectively define an internal storage cavity7 within which is positioned a roll of flexible sheets 8 (FIG. 4). Inthe exemplary embodiment shown, top wall 6 includes a dispensing opening10 that is provided with a dispensing mechanism 20. Dispensing mechanism20 includes a frame element 24 having an outer edge portion 27 and aninner edge portion 30. Dispensing mechanism 20 is further shown toinclude a first flap 33 and a second flap 37.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, first flap 33 includes afirst end portion 44 that is secured to frame element 24 through aliving hinge 45 formed from a flexible or elastic material such as, athermoplastic in the form of polypropylene. First end portion 44 extendsto a second end portion 47 that is provided with a plurality of toothelements 49-51. Tooth elements 49-51 extend laterally outward from andare substantially coplanar with first flap 33. Each tooth element 49-51includes a corresponding tip portion 55-57, which, as will be discussedmore fully below, establishes a respective pinch point 60-62. In anyevent, tooth element 49 is spaced from tooth element 50 so as to definea first notch portion 64 while tooth element 51 is spaced from toothelement 50 so as to define a second notch portion 65. First flap 33 isalso shown to include a stop member 70. Stop member 70 limits outwardrotational movement of flap 33 in a manner that will be discussed morefully below. Towards that end, stop member 70 includes a stop element 72that is mounted to first flap 33 and a stop portion 73 that is fixedlymounted relative to frame element 24.

In further accordance with the exemplary embodiment, second flap 37includes a first end section 78 that is pivotally mounted to frameelement 24 through a living hinge 79 formed from a flexible or elasticmaterial such as, thermoplastic in the form of polypropylene. First endsection 78 extends to a second end section 81 that is provided with aplurality of tooth members 83 and 84. In a manner similar to thatdescribed above, tooth members 83 and 84 extend laterally outward from asubstantially coplanar with second flap 37. In a manner also similar tothat described above, each tooth member 83, 84 includes a correspondingtip portion 87 and 88 which, as will be described more fully below,define respective pinch points 91 and 92. As best shown in FIG. 2 toothmember 83 is spaced from tooth member 84 so as to define a notch section95. Also, second flap 37 is provided with a stop member 98. Stop member98 limits rotational movement of second flap 37 about living hinge 79.Towards that end, stop member 98 includes a stop element 99 that isfixedly mounted to second flap 37 and a stop portion 100 that is fixedlymounted relative to frame element 24.

While first and second flaps 33, 37 are disclosed herein havingrespective living hinges 45, 79 that provide pivotal attachment of theflaps 33, 37 relative to frame element 24, it will be appreciated thatthe scope of the invention is not so limited, and that flexible jointsabsent detailed structure defining a living hinge may be used in placeof the living hinges thereby resulting in the first and second flaps 33,37 being flexibly coupled to the frame element 24 while still providingthe utility herein described.

In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, first and second flaps 33and 37 are selectively shiftable between a first position such as shownin FIG. 2 and a second position such as shown in FIG. 3. In the firstposition, first and second flaps 33 and 37 are substantially coplanarand extend across dispensing opening 10. With this arrangement, firstand second tooth members 83 and 84 register with first and second notchportions 64 and 65. Similarly, tooth elements 49-51 extend towardssecond flap 37 with tooth member 50 registering with notch section 95.With this arrangement, tip portions 55-57 nearly contact second endportion 81 of second flap 37 so as to define pinch points 60-62 whiletip portions 87 and 88 of tooth members 83 and 84 nearly contact secondend portion 47 of first flap 33 to define pinch points 91 and 92. Whiletip portions 55-57 and tip portions 87 and 88 are described as nearlycontacting corresponding second and first flaps 37 and 33, it should beunderstood that other configurations, such as direct contact between thetip portions and opposing flaps or overlapping of the tip portions fallwithin the scope of the exemplary embodiment. In addition to definingpinch points 60-62 and 91-92, tooth elements 49-51 and tooth members 83,84 interleave in order to define a plurality of gaps 102-109 (FIG. 8) aswell as additional open areas (not separately labeled) on either side offirst and second flaps 33 and 37. As will be discussed more fully below,pinch points 60-62 and 91, 92 and with gaps 102-109 facilitate thedispensing of flexible sheets from the roll of flexible sheets 8.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the roll of paper sheets 8 resides withinstorage cavity 7 of flexible sheet container 2. When a flexible sheet isdesired flaps 33 and 37 are deflected into storage cavity 7. At thispoint, a flexible sheet 124 is withdrawn from a center portion (notseparately labeled) of the roll of flexible sheets 8 as shown in FIG. 5.As best shown in FIG. 6, flexible sheet 124 is guided through dispensingopening 10 causing first and second flaps 33 and 37 to return to thefirst position. Stop members 70 and 98 prevent flaps 33 and 37 fromadditional rotation beyond the first position. Flexible sheet 124 ispassed through gaps 102 and 109 such that pinch points 60-62 and 91-92apply a frictional force as best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The frictionalforced applied by pinch points 60-62 and 91, 92 facilitates separationof flexible sheet 124 from a subsequent flexible sheet 134. In additionto the application of frictional force to flexible sheet 124, toothelements 49-51 and tooth members 83, 84 may engage perforations (notseparately labeled) provided on the roll of flexible sheets 8 to furtherenhance separation of flexible sheet 124 from subsequent flexible sheet134. With this arrangement, flexible sheet 124 remains substantiallywithin storage cavity 7.

By minimizing contact between dispensing mechanism 20 and flexiblesheet, for example 124, liquid entrained within the flexible sheetremains substantially in place. More specifically, liquid, such asantibacterial fluid, disinfectant, or other solutions are not pressed orsqueegeed from flexible sheet 124 upon withdrawal from flexible sheetcontainer 2. Gaps 102-109 as well as additional open areas (notseparately labeled) within dispensing opening 10 ensure that asubstantial portion of the liquid remains in entrained within flexiblesheet 124.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 9-10, which depicts in general form analternative top wall or lid 206 to that of lid 6 depicted in FIG. 1. Inconnection with the numerous figures depicted herein, it should be notedthat reference numerals used in connection with the alternativeembodiment of lid 206 have reference numerals that are higher than thereference numerals of similar features depicted in FIGS. 1-8 by a countof 200. That is, the element depicted by reference numeral (6) in FIG. 1relates to the element depicted by reference numeral (206) in FIGS.9-10. Different structural features associated with alternative lid 206are described in detail below.

In FIGS. 9-10, the lid 206 is connected to a cover 400 via a tether 402,which has an integrally arranged living hinge 404 that permits the cover400 to be folded over onto the lid 206. A cylindrically arranged raisedrib 406, integrally formed with the cover 400, mates with acylindrically arranged stepped wall 408, integrally formed with the lid206, in a snug-fit manner to effectively seal the cover 400 to the lid206 when the two are fit together. The lid 206 engages with the sidewall 4 of FIG. 1 in a similar manner to that described above to definean internal storage cavity 7 of the dispenser 2.

Lid 206 includes a dispensing mechanism 220 disposed at a dispensingopening 210, where the dispensing mechanism 220 includes a first hingedflap 233 and a juxtaposed second hinged flap 237. Similar to thedispensing mechanism 20 depicted in FIGS. 1-8, dispensing mechanism 220of FIG. 9 also includes a first stop member 270 on the first hinged flap233, and a second stop member 298 on the second hinged flap 237, witheach stop member 270, 298 having a respective stop element 272, 299, anda respective stop portion 273, 300.

Alternative embodiments of stop members 270, 298 having alternativefeatures will now be described with reference to FIGS. 11-17, whichdepict lids having reference numerals 206′, 206″, 206′″ to signify acorrelation with lid 206 of FIGS. 9-10. The alternative embodiments ofFIGS. 11-12, FIGS. 13-15, and FIGS. 16-17, each include a first hingedflap 233 having a first hinge 245 with first and second opposing faces310, 312. The second hinged flap 237 depicted in FIG. 9 also has asecond hinge 279 with first and second opposing faces, which are alsoherein referred to by reference to reference numerals 310, 312 of FIGS.11-17.

In each of the alternative embodiments of FIGS. 11-17, the first andsecond opposing faces 310, 312, of each respective first and secondhinge 245, 279, include a proximal end 314 and a distal end 316, withthe respective first and second opposing faces 310, 312 being flexiblyjoined at the respective proximal end 314 via a living hinge.

In the alternative embodiment of lid 206′ depicted by FIGS. 11-12, anengagement member in the form of a plurality of protrusions 318 isdisposed at the distal end 316 of the first hinge 245. In an embodiment,the second hinge 279 also has an engagement member in the form of aplurality of protrusions similarly configured and disposed. In anembodiment, protrusion 318 has a rounded tip that tapers back towardsthe second opposing face 312 (as illustrated in FIG. 12). However, itwill be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited toany particular configuration for protrusion 318, as long as theconfiguration performs as disclosed herein. As such, all otherconfigurations that are suitable for the purposes disclosed herein areconsidered within the scope of the invention. During dispensing of asheet product 124 from dispenser 2 equipped with alternative lid 206′,first and second hinged flaps 233, 237 are driven closed to a firstsubstantially horizontal and coplanar first position (as depicted inFIG. 2) by frictional interaction with the sheet product beingdispensed, which in turn biases the plurality of protrusions 318 againstthe first opposing face 310 of each respective hinge 245, 279, therebypreventing excessive outward flexing of the first and second hingedflaps 233, 237 during a dispensing operation.

In the alternative embodiment of lid 206″ depicted by FIGS. 13-15, anengagement member in the form of a first set of protrusions 320 extendsfrom a respective first opposing face 310 toward the respective secondopposing face 312, and a second set of protrusions 322 extends from arespective second opposing face 312 toward the respective first opposingface 310. The first and second sets of protrusions 320, 322 are disposedwith respect to each other so as to mesh with each other when a flexiblesheet 124 is dispensed from the cavity 7 of the dispenser 2. Withreference to FIGS. 14 and 15 in combination, it can be seen that theliving hinge 245 extends between the first and second opposing faces310, 312 with an undercut 324 extending underneath the second set ofprotrusions 322, thereby allowing the first hinged flap 233 (and secondhinged flap 237 when similarly configured) along with the second set ofprotrusions 322 to flex relative to living hinge 245 when a flexiblesheet 124 is being retrieved from within the dispenser 2. Duringdispensing of a sheet product 124 from dispenser 2 equipped withalternative lid 206″, first and second hinged flaps 233, 237 are drivenclosed to a first substantially horizontal and coplanar first position(as depicted in FIG. 2) by frictional interaction with the sheet productbeing dispensed, which in turn biases the end of the second set ofprotrusions 322 against the first opposing face 310 where the distance“D” therebetween is sufficiently small to prevent excessive outwardflexing of the first and second hinged flaps 233, 237 during adispensing operation.

In the alternative embodiment of lid 206′″ depicted by FIGS. 16-17, anengagement member in the form of a protrusion 326 extends from arespective first opposing face 310 toward the respective second opposingface 312. On the respective second opposing face 312, a pocket 328 isformed for receiving the protrusion 326. In an embodiment, theprotrusion 326 and mating pocket 328 form a ball and socket snap-fitengagement member. However, it should be appreciated that otherconfigurations other than a ball and socket configuration are possible,and are considered within the scope of the invention. The protrusion 326and pocket 328 are disposed with respect to each other so as toreversibly lock with each other when a flexible sheet 124 is dispensedfrom the cavity 7 of the dispenser 2. During dispensing of a sheetproduct 124 from dispenser 2 equipped with alternative lid 206′″, firstand second hinged flaps 233, 237 are driven closed to a firstsubstantially horizontal and coplanar first position (as depicted inFIG. 2) by frictional interaction with the sheet product beingdispensed, which in turn biases the protrusion 326 into the pocket 328and against the back wall of the pocket 328, thereby preventingexcessive outward flexing of the first and second hinged flaps 233, 237during a dispensing operation. The reversible snap-fit locking actionprovided by protrusion 326 and pocket 328 serves to hold the first andsecond hinged flaps 233, 237 in the closed and substantially coplanarposition until disengaged by a user reaching into the dispenser toretrieve another flexible sheet 124.

In view of the foregoing descriptions relating to FIGS. 11-17, it shouldbe appreciated that an embodiment of the invention more generallyincludes a first hinge 245 and/or a second hinge 279 each having anengagement member that extends from a respective first opposing face 310of the hinge to engage with a respective second opposing face 312 of thehinge when a flexible sheet 124 is dispensed from a cavity 7 of adispenser 2 having a lid 206′, 206″, 206′″ suitably equipped with suchengagement member, where the engagement member limits pivotal movementof the respective hinge in one direction, the outward dispensingdirection.

In view of the descriptions associated with FIGS. 1-8, FIGS. 9-10, andFIGS. 11-17, it should be appreciated that any of lids 206, 206′, 206″and 206′″ can be used in place of lid 6 of FIGS. 1-8 to form dispenser2, and that all prior descriptions of pinch points between teeth andnotches is equally applicable to lids 206′, 206″, 206′″, as lid 206 isalso depicted having at least one tooth element 250 and at least onenotch portion 264 at a distal end of the first flap 233, and at leastone tooth member 283 and at least one notch section 295 at a distal endof the second flap 237. As such, when the first and second flaps 233,237 of alternative lids 206, 206′, 206″, 206′″ are disposed in the firstsubstantially horizontal position, tooth element 250 registers withtooth member 283, tooth element 250 nests within notch section 295, andtooth member 283 nests within notch portion 264. Such registration andnesting facilitates passage of a flexible sheet being dispensed throughthe dispensing opening 210, and facilitates separation of the flexiblesheet being dispensed from a subsequent flexible sheet remainingsubstantially within the cavity 7.

Pinch points associated with tooth element 250 and notch section 295,tooth member 283 and notch portion 264, as well as other teeth andnotches illustrated in FIG. 9 but not separately enumerated withreference numerals, should be clearly recognized by comparing FIG. 9with FIG. 2. As such, no further description of pinch points as theyrelate to FIG. 9 is considered necessary for a complete and properunderstanding of the invention. Material considered suitable for lid 6having dispensing mechanism 20 is also considered suitable for lids 206,206′, 206″, 206′″ having dispensing mechanism 220.

In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that some of theembodiments of the invention may include one or more of the followingadvantages: a dispenser equipped with a dispensing mechanism having anengagement member that serves to prevent excessive outward flexing offirst and second hinged flaps during a dispensing operation, therebyfacilitating passage of a flexible sheet being dispensed through thedispensing opening, and separation of the flexible sheet being dispensedfrom a subsequent flexible sheet remaining substantially within thedispenser cavity; and, a dispenser equipped with a dispensing mechanismhaving an engagement member that limits pivotal movement of a hingedflap of the dispensing mechanism in the dispensing direction, therebyreducing stress reversals at the dispensing mechanism to prolong thelife of a living hinge providing the flexing action during use of thedispenser.

While the invention has been described in detail in connection with onlya limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood thatthe invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, theinvention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations,alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretoforedescribed, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of theinvention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention havebeen described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention mayinclude only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, theinvention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, butis only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

1. A dispenser, comprising: a plurality of walls that define a cavityconfigured to receive a plurality of flexible sheets, at least one ofthe plurality of walls defining a dispensing opening; and a dispensingmechanism disposed at the dispensing opening, the dispensing mechanismcomprising a first hinged flap and a juxtaposed second hinged flap, thefirst hinged flap comprising a first hinge having first and secondopposing faces, the second hinged flap comprising a second hinge havingfirst and second opposing faces, at least one of the first hinge and thesecond hinge comprising at least one protrusion that extends from arespective first opposing face to make contact with a respective secondopposing face when a flexible sheet is dispensed from the cavity, the atleast one protrusion limiting pivotal movement of the respective hingein one direction.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein: each of thefirst hinge and the second hinge comprises a respective at least oneprotrusion that extends from a respective first opposing face to makecontact with a respective second opposing face when a flexible sheet isdispensed from the cavity.
 3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the atleast one protrusion comprises a first at least one protrusion, andwherein at least one of the first hinge and the second hinge comprises:a second at least one protrusion that extends from a respective secondopposing face toward a respective first opposing face.
 4. The dispenserof claim 1, wherein: the first and second opposing faces of eachrespective first and second hinge comprises a proximal end and a distalend, the respective first and second opposing faces being flexiblyjoined at the respective proximal end.
 5. The dispenser of claim 4,wherein: the at least one protrusion comprises a plurality ofprotrusions disposed at the distal end of the respective hinge.
 6. Thedispenser of claim 4, wherein: the at least one protrusion comprises afirst set of protrusions extending from a respective first opposing facetoward the respective second opposing face, and further comprises asecond set of protrusions extending from a respective second opposingface toward the respective first opposing face, the first and secondsets of protrusions being disposed with respect to each other so as tomesh with each other when a flexible sheet is dispensed from the cavity.7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein: the first hinged flap comprises afirst end portion flexibly mounted relative to the dispensing openingthat extends to a second end portion; the second hinged flap comprises afirst end section flexibly mounted relative to the dispensing openingthat extends to a second end section; when the first and second flapsare in a first position, the second end portion of the first flap isdisposed adjacent the second end section of the second flap tosubstantially close off access to the cavity; and when the first andsecond flaps are in a second position, the second end portion of thefirst flap and the second end section of the second flap are inwardlyspaced apart from each other to provide access to the cavity.
 8. Thedispenser of claim 7, wherein when the first and second flaps are in thefirst position, the first and second flaps are substantially coplanar.9. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein: hinge ends of respective first andsecond hinged flaps define proximal ends, and openable ends ofrespective first and second hinged flaps define distal ends; the distalend of the first flap comprising at least one tooth element; the distalend of the second flap comprising at least one tooth member; when thefirst and second flaps are in a first position, the at least one toothelement registers with the at least one tooth member to facilitatepassage of a flexible sheet being dispensed through the dispensingopening, and to facilitate separation of the flexible sheet beingdispensed from a subsequent flexible sheet remaining substantiallywithin the cavity; and when the first and second flaps are in a secondposition, the at least one tooth element is spaced apart from the atleast one tooth member to provide access to the cavity.
 10. Thedispenser of claim 9, wherein: the at least one tooth element includes afirst tooth element, a second tooth element, and a third tooth element,the first tooth element being spaced from the second tooth elementthereby defining a first notch portion, and the third tooth elementbeing spaced from the second tooth element thereby defining a secondnotch portion; the at least one tooth member includes a first toothmember and a second tooth member, the first tooth member being spacedfrom the second tooth member thereby defining a notch section; when thefirst and second flaps are in the first position, the first and secondtooth members nest within the first and second notch portions, and thesecond tooth element nests within the notch section.
 11. The dispenserof claim 9, wherein: when the first and second flaps are in the firstposition, the at least one tooth element registers with the at least onetooth member to form at least one pinch point and at least one gap thatfacilitates passage of a flexible sheet being dispensed through thedispensing opening, and facilitates separation of the flexible sheetbeing dispensed from a subsequent flexible sheet remaining substantiallywithin the cavity;
 12. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein: the firsthinge and the second hinge are each pivotally mounted relative to thedispensing opening through a living hinge formed from a plasticmaterial.
 13. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one of theplurality of walls defining the dispensing opening defines a lid, andfurther comprising: a cover integrally formed with the lid via a livinghinge; wherein one of the lid and the cover comprises a stepped wall;and wherein the other of the lid and the cover comprises a raised ribconfigured to mate with the stepped wall to form a snug-fit seal betweenthe cover and the lid when the cover is folded over about the livinghinge onto the lid.
 14. A dispenser, comprising: a plurality of wallsthat define a cavity configured to receive a plurality of flexiblesheets, at least one of the plurality of walls defining a dispensingopening; and a dispensing mechanism disposed at the dispensing opening,the dispensing mechanism comprising a first hinged flap and a juxtaposedsecond hinged flap, the first hinged flap comprising a first hingehaving first and second opposing faces, the second hinged flapcomprising a second hinge having first and second opposing faces, atleast one of the first hinge and the second hinge comprising at leastone protrusion that extends from a respective first opposing face towarda respective second opposing face when a flexible sheet is dispensedfrom the cavity, the at least one protrusion limiting pivotal movementof the respective hinge in one direction; the respective second opposingface comprising at least one mating recess, the at least one protrusionand the at least one mating recess each being cooperatively disposedwith respect to each other so as to disengageably lock with each otherwhen a flexible sheet is dispensed from the cavity.
 15. The dispenser ofclaim 14, wherein: the first hinged flap comprises a first end portionflexibly mounted relative to the dispensing opening that extends to asecond end portion; the second hinged flap comprises a first end sectionflexibly mounted relative to the dispensing opening that extends to asecond end section; when the first and second flaps are in a firstposition, the second end portion of the first flap is disposed adjacentthe second end section of the second flap to substantially close offaccess to the cavity; and when the first and second flaps are in asecond position, the second end portion of the first flap and the secondend section of the second flap are inwardly spaced apart from each otherto provide access to the cavity.
 16. The dispenser of claim 15, whereinwhen the first and second flaps are in the first position, the first andsecond flaps are substantially coplanar.
 17. The dispenser of claim 14,wherein: hinge ends of respective first and second hinged flaps defineproximal ends, and openable ends of respective first and second hingedflaps define distal ends; the distal end of the first flap comprising atleast one tooth element; the distal end of the second flap comprising atleast one tooth member; when the first and second flaps are in a firstposition, the at least one tooth element registers with the at least onetooth member to facilitate passage of a flexible sheet being dispensedthrough the dispensing opening, and to facilitate separation of theflexible sheet being dispensed from a subsequent flexible sheetremaining substantially within the cavity; and when the first and secondflaps are in a second position, the at least one tooth element is spacedapart from the at least one tooth member to provide access to thecavity.
 18. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein: the at least one toothelement includes a first tooth element, a second tooth element, and athird tooth element, the first tooth element being spaced from thesecond tooth element thereby defining a first notch portion, and thethird tooth element being spaced from the second tooth element therebydefining a second notch portion; the at least one tooth member includesa first tooth member and a second tooth member, the first tooth memberbeing spaced from the second tooth member thereby defining a notchsection; when the first and second flaps are in the first position, thefirst and second tooth members nest within the first and second notchportions, and the second tooth element nests within the notch section.19. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein: when the first and second flapsare in the first position, the at least one tooth element registers withthe at least one tooth member to form at least one pinch point and atleast one gap that facilitates passage of a flexible sheet beingdispensed through the dispensing opening, and facilitates separation ofthe flexible sheet being dispensed from a subsequent flexible sheetremaining substantially within the cavity;
 20. The dispenser of claim14, wherein: the first hinge and the second hinge are each pivotallymounted relative to the dispensing opening through a living hinge formedfrom a plastic material.
 21. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein the atleast one of the plurality of walls defining the dispensing openingdefines a lid, and further comprising: a cover integrally formed withthe lid via a living hinge; wherein one of the lid and the covercomprises a stepped wall; and wherein the other of the lid and the covercomprises a raised rib configured to mate with the stepped wall to forma snug-fit seal between the cover and the lid when the cover is foldedover about the living hinge onto the lid.